Electrical switching system



W. M. SCOTT. ELECTRICAL SWITCHING SYSTEM.

I 7 APPLICATION FlLfD SEPT-'6', I918- 1,353, 185. Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

v. Permninfla neis @ATTOR/VEY W. M. SCOTT.

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. s. 1918.

,353,185. PatentedSept. 21, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- INVEN A TmR/VEY WILLIAM: M. SCOTT, OF TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING SYSTEM.

Application filed September 6, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAM M. Soon, a citizen of the United States, residing in Tredyffrin township, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania have invented a new and useful Electrical witching System, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an electrical switchin system comprising a source of current and a consumption circuit or translating device protected against reversal of polarity or voltage, no voltage and excess current.

My invention resides in a system of the character referred to, particularly when the translating device is of the electrolytic type, such as may be employed in the production of oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis, wherein the protective means comprise automatic circuit breaker mechanism responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage, no voltage or excess current; and more particularly in such a system wherein a double arm circuit breaker is tripped or controlled by electro-magnetic tripping means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage, no voltage and excess current, the windings of the no voltage and polarity reversal tripping means being serially connected.

For an illustration of one of the forms my invention may take reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of circuit breaker structure.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view, on enlarged scale, of part of the mech anism shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. i is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, on larger scale, of polarity reversal tripping mechanism of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '4' is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of one of various circuit arrangements of a system embodying my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the circuit breaker structure comprises two circuit breaker arms A and B constituting a socalled double arm circuit breaker having independently movable arms with means Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1.92%.

Serial No. 252,817.

for locking each arm and means for tripping either or botharms.

The circuit breaker arm A comprises the main terminal blocks 1 and 2 disposed upon a suitable insulating base 3 and adapted to be bridged by the laminated contact a carried by the arm 5 pivoted to the base at F and actuated by a toggle comprising th links 7 and 8,the latter having the operatiir handle 9 carrying the latch roller 10 engaged by the latch 11 to hold the bridging member 4 in circuit closing position. The latch 11 is pivoted to the base or housing at 12, the latch 11, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, tending to move in a counter-clockwise direction under the influence of the spring 13. Fig. 4. Pivoted concentrically with the latch 11 is a latch actuatorlt having the rearwardly extending tail 15 disposed in the path of travel of the member 16 actuated by the armature 17, pivoted at 18, said armature being that of an overload tripping device comprising a U-shaped iron member 19 embracing a lead to the terminal block 2.

To the latch actuator 14: is secured a structure 20 on whose upper side is adapted to engage the surface 21 of the cam member 22 independently pivoted at 12 and having the downwardly extending portion 23 carrying the lug 2d loosely engaging in the forked end 25 of the member 26 secured to the ar1nature 27 pivoted at 28. The armature 27 is normally close to the poles 29 of the novoltage or low-voltage tripping coil 30, the

usual plunger 31 pressed outwardly by the spring 82 being provided to shift the armature 27 in a counter-clockwise direction upon its pivot 28 upon loss or decrease of voltage, causing the surface 21 ofmember 22 to depress latch actuator 14: and so depress latch 11 to trip the breaker. This no-voltage magnet effects a direct tripping the breaker.

The cam member 22 is engaged on its surface 22 by roller 10, concentric with and to one side'of roller 10, when the breaker is closed to restore armature to the poles of the no-voltage magnet, which if energized will retain the armature and allow the breaker to be latched.

At 33 is indicated a switch which is closed when the breaker arm A is closed and which is opened when that arm moves to open circuit position, the switch 33 leing suitably insulated in well known manner.

The arm B is in many respects similar in structure to arm A. and fjOmpfllSQS the upper of the arm B is restrained in circuit closing position by latch 11 actuated by latch actuator 1r, these parts being similar to those described in connection with arm A. V r

The latch actuators 14: and 14 of arms -A' and B, respectively, are positively mechanically connected by the transversely extending bars or shafts 37, 37 with suitable intervening insulations 38, so that when either latch actuator is moved both are moved or actuated.

Associated with the arm 13 is a tripping device responsive to reversal of voltage or polarity, as distinguished from reversal of current.- This tripping device comprises the arm 39, pivoted at 40, and having the horizontally extending portion 4L1 secured at 42 to the latch actuator 14*, thus in effect being mechanically connected to the transversely nent magnets 45 and 46 are of opposite polarity, the forward end of magnet being, for example,'a south pole, indicated. by S; the north pole of permanent magnet 16 is indicated at N.

Disposed above and below the armature structure are the horizontally extending cores 49 and 50 of electro-magnets whose windings are indicated respectively at 51 and 52. The coils 51, 52 and 30 are connected in series with each other, as indicated in Fig. 8, the coils 51 and 52 being wound in such direction or so connectedthat for normal proper polarity conditions the poles of the upper magnet 51 are similar to and therefore oppose the adjacent poles N and S of the permanent magnet armature system, while the poles of the lower electro-magnet 52 are of opposite polarity to the adjacent armature poles and therefore normally at tract the armature downwardly, the downward movement being limited by the stop 53. Thus normally the pole of the magnet 51 above the pole N of the armature structure, is a north pole, while its other pole will be a south pole adjacent the south pole S of the armature structure; and of the lower magnet. 52 the pole adjacent the pole N of the armature structure is normally a'south pole, while its other pole is a north pole.

Referring now to Fig. 8, G is any suitable source of current, as for example, a

dynamo-electric generator which may be of the compoundwound type. The generator is connected by conductors 5 1 and 55 with the double pole switch 56, which when closed with the contacts 57 and 58 places the source G in communication with the distribution or consumption circuit. The source G is adapted tosupply current to any current consuming device, and particularly to electrolytic cells E, which may be employed for producing oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis and in connection with which it is of great importance that the polarity of the system be never reversed, lest hydrogen be produced at the pole which was formerly producing oxygen, and therefore produce a dangerous explosive mixture.

The contact 58 communicates through conductor 59 and the overload tripping device of the arm A, diagrammatically indicated. at 60, with the lower terminal 2 of the arm A and through the bridging member 4 to the upper terminal 1, which connects with one terminal of the cells E. The switch terminal 57 communicates through conductor 61with the'lower terminal 35 of the circuit breaker arm B, and. thence through the bridgingmember 36 to the upper terminal 34, which is connected with the other terminal of the cells E.

The no-voltage coil 30 and the polarity reversal coils 51 and 52 are connected in series with each other through the switch 33 between the conductor leading from the upper terminal lof the arm A and the conductor connected to the generator G.

'l he operation is as follows:

With the switch 56 closed, the generator G having a given terminal of proper polarity and other conditions normal, current will pass from the generator G through the conductors 59 and 61, the circuit breaker arms Aand B and through the translating or con sumption device E. vVllQIl the consumption device is an electrolytic cell or cells, the current passing therethrough will produce oxy gen at one pole and hydrogen at the other, the two gases being taken off separately. Should, however, the current be passed through the cell or cells in reverse direction, 1

oxygen will be produced at the pole at which hydrogen should be produced, and similarly at the other pole hydrogen will be produced where oxygen should be produced, with the result that the gases taken off at both poles will produce with those previously taken off mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen, which are dangerous in the sense that they are explosive and readily ignited.

Such an electrolytic device is to some extent at least a storage battery capable of discharging a current if the voltage impressed upon the circuit, as by generator G, falls below the voltage of the device E. For example, if the generator G were at rest and the switch 56 left closed, the residual magnetism of the field of the generator G might readily be reversed by dis charge from the device E, with the result that when the generator was again started up, its polarity would be reversed and such as to pass current through the electrolytic device E in reverse direction, with the re sultant above-described undesirable mixture of gases. To prevent this mischance and to anticipate flow of current in wrong direction, the tripping mechanism comprising the coils 51 and 52 and the no-voltage magnet 30 are provided; So long as thepolarity of the generator G is normal or correct, the armature structure 44 will be held against the stop 53, due both to gravity and the pull exerted by the lower electro-magnet 52, and the repulsion of the upper electro-magnet 51. Should, however, the polarity be reversed, the current through the magnet windings 51 and 52 will be reversed, with the result that the lower electro-magnet will repel the armature structure and the upper electro-magnet 51 will attract it, with the result that the armature structure 4% will rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, and cause the member 43 to engage the member 39 and so actuate latches 11 and 11 of both circuit breaker arms A and B, and so trip both or either of them.

lVith the breaker arms A and B both open, and upon closure of the switch 56, arm A is first closed, thereby establishing the circuit through the coils 30, 51 and 52. If the polarity of the generator G has been reversed, the breaker arm A will be tripped immediately the operator removes his hand from .the operating lever 9, because the latch 11 of arm A will be tripped through the members 37 connected to the member 39, which is actuated by the armature structure eta. If it should be attempted to close arm B before closing arm A, the same will not lat-ch because the circuit of the coil 30 is open at switch 33, arm A being open, and the spring 32 will hold the armature 27 of the 110-voltage tripping coil away from its poles and thereby hold the latch 11, through the interconnecting members 37, in opposition to its spring similar to spring 13, from taking a locking position.

If either switch 56 or switch 33 is open, the no-voltage coil 30 cannot be energized, and neither arm A nor arm B can be latched in circuit closing position because the armature 27 will not be held attracted, but willbe held by spring 32 in position to hold latches 11 and 11 from locking their respective operating handles 9 and 9 It is of importance that the no-voltage tripping coil 30 be connected in series with the tripping device comprising the coils 51 and 52, in order that should there be a rupture in either winding 51 or 52, the novoltage or lowvoltage tripping mechanism comprising the coil 30 will prevent closure of either or both arms A or B, whether or not a reversal of polarity has occurred. And obviously, if a break should occur in the coil 30 or anywhere in the circuit of the coils 30, 51 or 52, or if in general a lowvoltage or 110-voltage condition should obtain, both breaker arms A and B will be tripped if both have been closed, and if either or both have been open will prevent closure of both.

And obviously the overload tripping mechanism, which may be associated with either arm A, as illustrated, or with arm B, or with both, will trip both arms A and B upon occurrence of excess current flow or upon abnormal conditions in the circuit which upon closure 01 the breakers A and B would cause excess of current flow, will cause either arm to be tripped when it is attempted to close the other.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a source of current and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining the same in normal position, and means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for actuating said restraining means.

2. The combination with a source of current and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining the sa me in normal position, means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for actuating said restraining means, and a 110-voltage tripping magnet for actuating said restraining means.

3. The combination with a source of current and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means i'or restraining the same in normal position, and electro-magnetic tripping means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for actu ating said restraining means comprising a member polarized independently of thecircult of said source of current and translating device and a winding in which the direction of current reverses with reversal of polarity or voltage.

4. The combination with a source of current and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently oper able switches each having means for restraining the same in normal position, elec tro-magnetic tripping means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for actuating said restraining means comprising a member polarized independently of the circuit of said source of current and translating device and a winding in which the direction of current reverses with reversal of polarity or voltage, and a no-voltage tripping magnet for actuating said restraining means and having its winding connected in series with said winding.

5. The combination with, a source of current and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them'and comprisingv independently operable switches each having means for restraining the same in normal position, and tripping means resp'onsiveto reversal of polarity or voltage for actuating said restraining means comprising a permanently polarized armature structure and cooperating electro-magnet structure having a winding in which the direction of current reverses upon reversal of polarity or voltage.

6. The combination with a source of current, of an electrolytic gas generator sup plied thereby, circuit breaker mechanism intervening between said source and said generator and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in closed position, and electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for preventing closure of said circuit breaker mechanism. 1

7 Thecombination with a source of current, of an electrolytic gas generator supplied thereby, circuit breaker mechanism intervening between said source and said generator and comprising.independently operable switches eachhaving means for locking it in circuit closing position, electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for preventing closure of said circuit breaker mechanism, and means comprising a no-voltage tripping magnet preventing closure of said breaker except when said magnet is energized.

8. The combination with a source of current, of anelectrolytic gas generator supplied thereby, circuit breaker mechanism intervening between said source and said generator and comprising independently operable switches each having means for locking it in circuit closing position, electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage controlling said circuit breaker mechanism, and a no-voltage tripping magnet controlling said breaker, the windings of said no-voltage tripping magnet and said electro-magnetic means being connected in series with each other.

9. The combination with a source of ourlent, of an electrolytic gas generator supplied'thereby, a switch intervening between them, a circuit breaker intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for locking it in closed position, and electro-magnetic means'responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for preventing closure of said circuit breaker.

them and comprising independently operable switches each havlng means for locking 1,

it in closed position, electro-magnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for preventing closure of said circuit breaker,

a no-voltage tripping magnet controlling said circuit breaker, and a switch movable with one of said switches controlling the circuitof the'windings of said electromagnetic means and said'no-voltage tripping magnet.

11. The combination with a source of cur-' rent and a translating device, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently 'operable switches each having means for re straining the same in normal position, electic-magnetic tripping means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage for actuating said restraining means comprising a mem ber polarized independently of the circuit of said source of current and translatin'g'device and a winding in which the direction of current reverses with reversal of polarity or voltage, a no-voltage tripping magnet for actuating said restraining means and having its winding connected in series with said winding, and a switch controlling the circuit of said windings and movable with one of said independently operable switches.

12. The combination with a source of current, of an electrolytic gas generator supplied thereby, circuit breaker mechanism in tervening between them and comprising independentlyoperable switches each having means for locking it in closing position, electro-magnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage preventing closure of said circuit breaker mechanism, a novoltage tripping magnet preventing closure of said circuit breaker mechanism except when said magnet is energized,the windings of said no-voltage tripping magnet and of said electro-magnetic means being connected in series, and a switch movablerwith one of said independently operable switches closing the circuit of said windings when said one of said independently operable switches ismoved to circuit closing position.

13. The combinatlonwith a source of current, of an electrolytic gas generator sup-- no-voltage tripping magnet preventing closure of said circuit breaker mechanism except when said magnet is energized, the windings of said no-voltage tripping magnet and of said electro-magnetic means be ing connected in series, a switch movable with one of said independently operable switches closing the circuit of said windings when said one of said independently operable switches is moved to circuit closing position, and manually operable switching mechanism in series with said circuit breaker mechanism between said source of current and said gas generator.

14.. The combination with a source of current and electrolytic means supplied thereby, 01: circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in normal position, said switches disposed, respectively, in sides of the circuit of opposite polarities, and elec tro-magnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage operating upon said restraining means to prevent switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during polarity reversal.

15. The combination with a source of current and electrolytic means supplied thereby, or circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in normal position, said switches disposed respectively, in sides of the circuit of opposite polarities, electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage operating upon said restraining means to prevent switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing po sition during polarity reversal, and means responsive to low or no voltage preventing switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during low or novoltage conditions.

16. The combination with a source of current and electrolytic means supplied thereby, of circuit breaker mechanism interven-- ing between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in normal position, said switches disposed, respectively, in sides of the circuit of opposite polarities, electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage operating upon said restraining means to prevent switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during polarity reversal, and means in series with said electro-magnetic means and responsive tolow or no voltage preventing switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during low or novoltage conditions. i

17. The combination with a source of current and electrolytic means supplied thereby, of circuit breaker mechanism intervening between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in normal position, said switches disposed, respectively, in sides of the circuit of opposite polarities, electro-magnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage operating upon said restraining means to prevent switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during polarity reversal, means responsive to low or novoltage preventing switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during low or no-voltage conditions, and a switch controlling the circuit of said electro-responsive means and said means responsive to low or no voltage, said switch taking circuit closing position in unison with one of said independently oper able switches.

18. The combination with a source of current and electrolytic means supplied thereby, of circuit breaker mechanism interven ing between them and comprising independently operable switches each having means for restraining it in normal position, said switches disposed, respectively, in sides or the circuit of opposite polarities, electromagnetic means responsive to reversal of polarity or voltage operating upon said restraining means to prevent switch restraint upon switch movement in circuit closing position during polarity reversal, means in series with said electro-magnetic means and responsive to low or no voltage preventing switch restraint upon switch movement to circuit closing position during low or novoltage conditions, and a switch controlling the circuit of said electro-responsive means and said means responsive to low or no voltage, said switch taking circuit closing position in unison with one of said independently operable switches.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 3rd day of September, 1918.

WILLIAM M. SCOTT. 

